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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Style

An Invite and What’s on the Agenda!
Gifts, Interior design, Style

An Invite and What’s on the Agenda!

This is a very busy time of the year for design, with tons of events and lots on the agenda…. Read More

The Return of Poiret
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Interior design

The Return of Poiret

While today we are accustomed to the close connection between fashion and decor, with designers often crossing the divide, a… Read More

Pomellato: Since 1967
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Fashion, Jewelry

Pomellato: Since 1967

The 60’s ushered in an era that would change forever the cultural and social landscape, particularly for women who discovered… Read More

The Art, Science and Beauty of Time
Art & Antiques, Design, Jewelry

The Art, Science and Beauty of Time

While seemingly at odds, art and science are often inextricably intertwined. And perhaps no place is this more evident than… Read More

First Look at the NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018
Entertaining, Style, Tabletop

First Look at the NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018

How delightful during the midst of frigid temps and freezing rain to step inside the Plaza Hotel for an evening… Read More

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Antiques, Interior design, Style

Sneak Peek from Nashville

While I will be sharing a more comprehensive post from here at the wonderful Antiques & Garden Show, I thought… Read More

Dr. Zhivago: The Story Behind the Style
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design

Dr. Zhivago: The Story Behind the Style

With the arctic weather producing feet of snow and sub zero temperatures here in New England and down the coast,… Read More

Merry Merry
Entertaining, Holiday, Style, Tabletop

Merry Merry

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I wish you all a very merry merry! This year for my table,… Read More

Sneak Peek at a Busy Week
Style

Sneak Peek at a Busy Week

If it’s mid-fall, that means there are events galore in the world of design. While I catch up, here’s a… Read More

Special Shopping for the Chic and Unique
Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Special Shopping for the Chic and Unique

Last week was an insanely busy week of design and although I was under the weather and missed many fun… Read More

Delvaux Brillant
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion

Delvaux Brillant

When you think of Belgium, french fries, beer, chocolate and Brussel sprouts may come to mind, their famous decor style,… Read More

Gucci Décor at Bergdorf’s
Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Gucci Décor at Bergdorf’s

It was only a matter of time before the brilliant Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele applied his talents to the… Read More

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Nantucket baskets are suddenly everywhere this sum Nantucket baskets are suddenly everywhere this summer — filling Instagram feeds, appearing in the pages of The New York Times and garnering attention in publications around the world. Coveted by collectors and a whole new generation of enthusiasts, these iconic baskets are having an undeniable moment. Yet behind all the current excitement is a fascinating story of history, tradition, ingenuity and exceptional craftsmanship.

Five years ago, I had the privilege of making this film with @Mary_emery_design, Director of Heritage Craft for the @nantuckethistoricalassociation , exploring the history and evolution of Nantucket lightship baskets through the people who know them best. We visited master basket makers Karl and Susan Ottison, Tim Parsons and Nap Plank, and heard about legendary maker José Reyes from his son-in-law, Maurice Gibbs. We also spent time with Nantucket scrimshander Michael Vienneau, whose work illustrates another chapter in the continuing evolution of the basket.

The film was made at the time the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum became affiliated with the Nantucket Historical Association, bringing its extraordinary collection — and the stories and traditions it represents — into the care of the NHA.

With Nantucket baskets now capturing the attention of an entirely new audience, it seemed the perfect time to revisit the film and celebrate the remarkable makers, history and craftsmanship behind this enduring Nantucket tradition.

Watch the full film at the link in bio.
August, stay a while. August, stay a while.
Charleston has a way of drawing people back again Charleston has a way of drawing people back again and again—and homes like this remind us why.
Tag along as designer @michaelmitchelldesigner welcomes us inside his gracious home, where layers of history, thoughtful collecting, and a deeply personal approach to design make every room a reflection of both its owner and the city itself.
LINK IN PROFILE.
One of my favorite things about setting a table is One of my favorite things about setting a table is that it never has to begin from scratch.

The most beautiful tables are collected over time—mixing old favorites with new discoveries, heirlooms with contemporary pieces, and the things you’ve loved for years with something that brings fresh perspective.

For this table, I’ve paired PeterDunham + Hudson Grace’s (@peterdunhamdesign @hudsongracesf ) beautiful salad and bread plates and napkins with Blue Carnation dinner plates, table linens, glassware, and flatware from my shop, alongside a few favorite pieces from my personal collection.

I hope this table is a reminder that you don’t need everything to match—or come from one place. The magic is in the mix. Every new piece should make you fall in love with the pieces you already own all over again.

That’s the joy of collecting—and the beauty of a table that reflects your own story.

Shop the table through link in profile
Very excited to be returning to @eleishvanbreems o Very excited to be returning to @eleishvanbreems on Nantucket for a 2 day trunk show next Thursday and Friday! If on island, do stop by! There will be many new introductions you will be the first to see!!
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